Mercury Mariner 3.3 Tilt Rod Spring

[nigel1]

Just gotten around to stripping down the swivel bracket on the outboard.Took some time as lots of bits seized due to stainless steel/aluminium corrosion.

Managed to remove the tilt rod (34 in the diagram) Mine is broken, missing the locking tab, but managed to find a replacement online.
Noticed the part diagram shows a spring (35) described as Spring for Tilt Rod, but can't quite see how this assembles with the tilt rod and the thrust bracket (20)
If anyone has a swivel bracket in working order, can they give me a clue as to how the spring fits?

The distance rod (21) is poor quality, made from mild steel, had to cut it, and after copious application of acetone/ATF plus simmering in boiling water, was able to remove in two pieces. Have replace with a long M6 stainless steel bolt with a piece of stainless tube cut to length to act as the distance rod.

The adjusting screw (30) was also sezied. managed to remove it, not sure as original as it is a winged brass set screw. One of the wings parted company during the removal process and will be replaced with a stainless steel winged set screw.
Will need to add theses parts to the annual service to avoid future problems

 

[VicS]

Just gotten around to stripping down the swivel bracket on the outboard.Took some time as lots of bits seized due to stainless steel/aluminium corrosion.

Managed to remove the tilt rod (34 in the diagram) Mine is broken, missing the locking tab, but managed to find a replacement online.
Noticed the part diagram shows a spring (35) described as Spring for Tilt Rod, but can't quite see how this assembles with the tilt rod and the thrust bracket (20)
If anyone has a swivel bracket in working order, can they give me a clue as to how the spring fits?

The distance rod (21) is poor quality, made from mild steel, had to cut it, and after copious application of acetone/ATF plus simmering in boiling water, was able to remove in two pieces. Have replace with a long M6 stainless steel bolt with a piece of stainless tube cut to length to act as the distance rod.

The adjusting screw (30) was also sezied. managed to remove it, not sure as original as it is a winged brass set screw. One of the wings parted company during the removal process and will be replaced with a stainless steel winged set screw.
Will need to add theses parts to the annual service to avoid future problems

The spring fits on the tilt rod up tight against the "head". When fitting the rod the spring is compressed as the locking tab is engaged. There's no spring on the rod on my Evinrude. Some versions of the 3.3 Mercury have a simple drop nose pin


A winged screw is not necessary for the swivel friction adjustment . A hex headed set screw will be adequate unless you want to be able to frequently re-adjust the friction. You should be able to set an acceptable level of friction and leave it at that. (On my Evinrude the screw, which has a hex head with a screwdriver slot, is fully tightened because I don't use the outboard for steering)

 

[nigel1]

Thanks Vic, so between the head of the spring and the clamp bracket.
Not surprised it was missing, seems easy to loose if the rod is removed. Will try and find a way of securing the spring to the rod.

I did see the drop nose pin version when looking for a replacement tilt rod>

Thanks
Nigel

 

[Boathook]

That tilt rod looks a bit like the one on a malta, and that didn't have a spring. I think one of my maltas had the rod replaced by a stud with lock nuts either end.
The friction screw is only really used when you want to lock the engine in the fore / aft position so you dont have to hold it when motoring or using it on a dinghy with a rudder.

 

[Sandro]

just noticed the similarity, me too